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Perseus

Quick Facts

Name:Perseus
PURR-see-us
Meaning:Hero (Proper)
Abbreviation:Per
Genitive:Persei
Visible in Latitudes:90° thru -35°
Viewing Season:Fall
Best Seen In:December, 9:00 pm
Transit Date:November 12
Right Ascension:3.71 hours
Declination:41.8 degrees
Area:614.997 sq. degrees

Star Diagram

Star Diagram: Perseus

About Perseus

Perseus, the rescuer of Andromeda, had a quest to bring back the head of Medusa. Not knowing her whereabouts, he went to the three sisters of Polydectes, who were blind and shared a glass eye. They refused to help him until he stole the eye and would not return it until they told him where to find Medusa. Using a shield given to him by Minerva, he avoided looking directly at Medusa and beheaded her. Pegasus sprang out of the Medusa's blood and he rode him back to Artos, where he found Andromeda chained to the rocks as a sacrifice to Cetus. Using the Gorgon's head, Cetus turned to stone. Perseus and Andromeda fell in love, and both were placed among the stars.

Named Stars

 
NameStar
MirphakAlpha Per
AlgolBeta Per
MiramEta Per
MenkibXi Per
AtikOmicron Per
Gorgonea SecundaPi Per
Gorgonea TertiaRho Per
Gorgonea QuartaOmega Per

Messier Objects

 
NameType
M34Open Cluster
M76Planetary Nebula

Neighboring Constellations

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